Reality TV

You didn't really care about TV until reality came along. You're just as content watching everyday folks shed pounds on "The Biggest Loser" as you are watching celebrities take a stab at ballroom dancing on "Dancing with the Stars." Click through this slideshow to check out the reality shows keeping it real this fall. Wednesday, August, 26, 2009, 11:26 PM

"The Amazing Race" returns for its 15th season, so get ready for more adventure in far-flung destinations around the world. Traveling more than 50,000 miles and crossing multiple continents in 28 days, teams of two compete in a fierce race to the finish. Not for the faint of heart, this reality show takes off at lightning speed right from the get-go, so hang on tight as the teams battle for a million-dollar prize. Rumor has it this season’s team roster will include a former Miss America, professional poker players, and a couple of Harlem Globetrotters ready to trot the globe some more. Sundays at 8pm ET on CBSCBS/Robert Voets - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 6:20 PM

Host Tom Bergeron rings in the 20th season of "America's Funniest Home Videos," the longest-running primetime show in ABC history. Do you have an amazing or hilarious personal video? The winner of this year's best video will receive the opportunity to enjoy a choice of vacations from more than 500 destinations around the world every year for 50 years. Get your video camera out and start filming! Sundays at 7pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Combine one run-down home, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, and seven days and what do you get? A little "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." This award-winning show has inspired a feel-good reality trend that takes giving to a whole new level. Sundays at 8pm ET on ABCABC/ - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

After taking a year off, "The Next Iron Chef" returns for a second season of kitchen competition. A spinoff of "Iron Chef America," the show pits 10 chefs from around the country against each other in a series of demanding situations that will test both their culinary skills and their mental toughness. Sundays at 9pm on the Food NetworkBRAVO - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

While the original gals from "Girls Next Door" have moved on to marriage, motherhood, and other reality shows, three new girls (including perky twins) are moving into the mansion and onto Hef's, um, schedule. Licensed real estate agent Crystal Harris will be the 83-year-old's "number one girlfriend." As for the twins, Kristina and Karissa Shannon, well, all you need to know to get totally creeped out is that they were born in 1989. Sundays at 10pm on E!E! Entertainment - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

Shayne Lamas, who won "The Bachelor" last year, is back. And although no longer engaged to her reality-TV love connection, she’s still connected with "Bachelor" executive producer Mike Fleiss, who is behind "Leave It to Lamas." You can bet this family will be bringing the drama — Shayne's father, actor Lorenzo Lamas, hasn't spoken to her brother A.J. since 2003 ... around the time that the younger Lamas reportedly had, um, inappropriate relations with his stepmom, former Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand. Sundays at 10:30pm on E!E! Entertainment - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"Dancing With the Stars" pairs celebrities with professional dancers for a spectacular ballroom competition. Fans tune in for the glitzy costumes, the thrilling choreography, and the opportunity to watch stars face their fears and conquer a whole new skill. Mondays at 8pm ET and Tuesdays at 9pm ET on ABCABC/Bob D'Amico - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

If you haven't gotten to know this interesting family yet, you can catch all the family fun during Season 5. In "Little People, Big World," Matt and Amy Roloff are little people raising four children (three are average-sized, one is also a little person) on a farm in Oregon. Last season, the twins, Zachary and Jeremy, celebrated their 18th birthdays and the family finished a big home renovation. As if that weren’t enough. Matt also returned to the Middle East to accompany an Iraqi family to Europe so their child could undergo an operation. Last season also followed the Roloffs through tragedy when a good family friend Mike Detjen died suddenly. This fall, Matt starts on even more home-renovation projects — much to Amy's dismay — and the twins prepare to leave the farm behind and head out on their own. Mondays at 8pm on TLCTLC/John Keatley - Wednesday, September, 30, 2009, 8:30 PM

In "Gone Too Far" –- an intervention-style reality show taped prior to Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein’s recent death -- the famous wax-spinner reached out to struggling addicts, offering his help and advice. At the time, everyone knew that he and Travis Barker had survived a deadly plane crash, but less well known was his struggle with addiction that ultimately took his life. In his final months, as captured in the show, he used his own experiences to help others find treatment, and set them on the long, perilous road to recovery.Mondays at 10pm on MTVMTV/Eric Hendrikx - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

The newest season of "The Biggest Loser" is all about second chances, so get ready for another wild and emotional ride (there won't be a dry eye in the room) as overweight contestants learn that the more you lose, the more you gain, in this battle-of-the-bulge competition. A former contestant from last season will return for a second chance to lose the weight he should have lost when he was on the show the first time around. A woman who lost her husband and both of her children hopes to lose her excess weight for a second chance at life. And viewers will also meet the largest contestant ever to participate on "The Biggest Loser": a girl weighing in at 476 pounds. Tuesdays at 8pm ET on NBCNBC/Trae Patton - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

It's baaaack! That's right; the guilty pleasure reality series, "Million Dollar Listing," which features the high-stress, big-money world of real estate in Los Angeles, returns for its insanely addictive third season. With diva brokers Josh, Chad, and Madison suffering from the slumping housing market, accounts have bottomed out, egos have been damaged, and drama is at an all-time high! Can’t wait, can you? [/ytvshow]Mondays at 10pm on Bravo[/ytvshow]Bravo/Vivian Zink - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

When the reality smash "The Hills" concluded its first half of Season 5 earlier this year, Lauren was seen leaving Heidi and Spencer's wedding — and the show itself. The spotlight now turns on Kristin, one of Lauren's former "Laguna Beach" classmates, who moved to LA after high school to pursue an acting career. But don't worry, there will still be plenty of drama from "Hills" regulars Speidi, Brody, Stephanie, Lo, and Audrina. Tuesdays at 10pm on MTVMTV - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

She's baaack! That’s right; former "Shear Genius" contestant and everyone’s favorite snarky hair stylist Tabatha Coffey returns with the second season of her highly addictive reality show, "Tabatha's Salon Takeover." In the premiere episode, the bitchy blond Aussie heads to the Windy City to take over and make over a dilapidated and unorganized salon that lacks even the minimum amount of necessary fabulousness. Tuesdays at 10pm on BravoBravo/Pete Tangen - Wednesday, September, 30, 2009, 7:30 PM

"Ghost Hunters" is a reality series following the daring paranormal detective exploits of the Atlantic Paranormal Society, an organization made up of ordinary citizens with inquisitiveness for the hidden paranormal underbelly of society. Earlier this year on the first half of Season 5, the group visited the home of Betsy Ross, an asylum in New Jersey, and the estate of author Edith Wharton. The second half of the season promises even more spooky sightseeing. Wednesdays at 9pm on SyfySci Fi Channel/Gavin Bond - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"Man v. Food" returns for a second season of tasty travel, as host Adam Richman crisscrosses the country exploring the unique "big food" of different regions and tackling the eating challenges of local restaurants. Last season saw Richman testing his body’s limits with atomic chicken wings in Pittsburgh and the 12-pound Eagle’s Challenge Burger in Boston. On Season 2, the edible extremes include a 42-inch monster supreme pizza and a half-pound hamburger topped with the world’s hottest pepper — a challenge so tough, only three people have ever finished it. Wednesdays at 10pm on the Travel ChannelTravel Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Let the hunt for America's best dancer begin! Hosted by top British TV personality Cat Deeley, "So You Think You Can Dance" (or "SYTYCD" to those in the know) tests dancers on everything from hip-hop to salsa to tango to jive. In the sixth season (and first to air in the fall), producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe, his shrill sidekick/ballroom expert Mary Murphy, and some of the world's greatest dancers and choreographers travel across the country in search of the most talented teen and twenty-somethings. The ones whose moves impress them the most will be invited to call-backs in Vegas, where they'll work with top choreographers (award winners Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, and Wade Robson to name a few) and compete to become one of the top 20 finalists who will continue on in an attempt to win the hearts of voters, the grand prize ($250,000), and bragging rights as "America’s favorite dancer!" Tuesdays at 9pm ET and Wednesdays at 8pm ET on FOXFOX/Matthieu Young - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Gorgeous faces, vicious catfights, and an enviable grand prize. Time to get fierce, girls! Hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, "America’s Next Top Model" is the popular reality competition that pits young women against one another to find out who has what it takes to be the next supermodel. This is not a show for wilting wallflowers. The 13th cycle of "Top Model" will feature only "short" contestants — the wannabe models are all under 5’7". Also look for guest judge appearances by reality starlets Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian. Wednesdays at 8pm ET on The CWThe CW/Frank Ockenfels - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

This new sure-to-be-controversial documentary series, "Lock 'n Load," goes inside Josh T. Ryan's Colorado gun shop to find out what types of people are buying guns and why. Turns out, all kinds of folks –- from collectors to dads trying to bond with their teen daughters -- want to be strapped. The show isn't taking a side in the gun debate, and will instead let viewers watch the likable Ryan sell weapons to everyday Americans and decide for themselves if they like what he’s doing. Wednesdays at 8pm on ShowtimeNBC/Mark LaFleur - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

Sure, fights among roommates are a staple of any good reality show, but on "The Ultimate Fighter," it's the crux of the entire series. Each season, a group of mixed martial arts fighters lives together in a house outside Las Vegas, competing against each other for a six-figure deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization. This season, the elimination round has been removed and all of the fighters will compete for the entire run. Wednesdays at 10 pm on Spike TVSpike TV - Wednesday, August, 26, 2009, 11:26 PM

From the producers "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" and "Gordon Ramsay's F Word" comes the new tough-love show, "Mary Queen of Shops." It's not easy running a store these days, especially when you're a little guy competing against corporate-owned chain retailers. That's where sassy and straight-talking retail guru Mary Portas comes in. This reality series follows Mary as she visits struggling independent shop-owners to help them reconnect with the vision and drive that first pushed them into the fashion business. It's more than just getting the balance sheet — it's about helping them rediscover their spirit, enthusiasm, and sense of style. Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC AmericaBBC America/Optomen - Wednesday, September, 30, 2009, 8:30 PM

If you've ever wondered where the store Anthropologie found its unique decorative antiques, here’s your answer. "Man Shops Globe" follows the specialty retailer’s antiques buyer, Keith Johnson, as he travels the world’s flea markets, art studios, and remote villages in search of the most intriguing objects he can get his hands on. The show will not only focus on his thrilling travels, but also shine a spotlight on the artists who created the objects Johnson collects. Wednesdays at 9pm on the Sundance ChannelSundance Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Get ready for a season of rehashing old rivalries and broken romances. Twenty-eight former "Real World" and "Road Rules" cast members will participate in "The Ruins," a Thailand-based competition pitting the "Champions" (past winners) against the "Challengers" (a team comprised of both newbies and past losers). Although players compete in teams, they will be banking winnings into their own individual accounts as they compete in nine intense challenges … and a thrilling finale with $300,000 at stake. Wednesdays at 10pm on MTV MTV - Wednesday, September, 30, 2009, 8:30 PM

"Destination Truth" follows truth-seeking adventurer Josh Gates and his crew as they travel the globe investigating stories of mysterious and supernatural creatures. They've already looked into the chupacabra, Argentinean werewolves, yeti, and Vietnamese sea serpents, among other phenomena. In Season 3, Gates will explore the Bermuda Triangle, a mystery lake in Turkey, and the ghost towns of Chernobyl. Wednesdays at 10pm on SyfySyFy Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM